
Christian mom wears hijab for Lent to experience being an 'outsider'
FREE Catholic Classes
As part of her Lent journey, Christian mother, Jessey Eagan has been wearing hijab in public after considering what it would feel like "to be an outsider," as she explained to the Christian Post.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
3/10/2015 (1 decade ago)
Published in Marriage & Family
Keywords: burkini, hijab, Muslim, Christian, Jessey Eagan, Lent, Lenten Season
MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online)- The mother of two, who works as a part time children's director at the Imago Dei Church in Peoria, Illinois, is planning to participate in the practice of wearing the Islamic garb throughout the Lenten Season.
Eagan even went swimming with her family recently wearing a "burkini," which covered her from head to toe, to ensure devotion on remaining covered - how Muslim women are displayed in public.
According to her blog, the response from both Muslims and Christians has been positive so far.
When her husband asked why she is doing this for Lent, considering that the Muslim population in Peoria is big, she explained that this practice is about hospitality and that she wants to remember what it feels like to be one of the "outsiders."
Seven years ago, Eagan and her husband had lived for some time in Amman, Jordan teaching at an Islamic school where they "forged" friendships with the Muslims they met. The experience of being an outsider had given their worldview a different impact; she said she believes that the media and people in general are casting all Muslims as extremists.
"I want to remember that people are individuals, and so by doing this I'm remembering to welcome and include people no matter what they look like," Eagan told the Christian Post.
By doing this, she believes that she could help other Christians not to be so overpowered by fear that they forget to show love to everyone. She told The Blaze that due to the media's heavy influence over people, we are more susceptible to feeling fear, which is the "opposite of love."
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Pope Leo XIV Reinstates ‘Conclave Bonus’ to Honor Vatican Workers’ Dedication

Your Body Is a Temple: Why Catholics Should Embrace Health by 36

Pope Leo XIV Offers Apostolic Blessings Worldwide — A Gift of Grace and Charity
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Thursday, May 29, 2025
St. Maximinus of Trier: Saint of the Day for Thursday, May 29, 2025
Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, May 10, 2025
Daily Readings for Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Bl. Margaret Pole: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 09, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.